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Black employment problems: New evidence, old questions

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  • Harry J. Holzer

    (Professor of Economics at Michigan State University)

Abstract

This article attempts to review and synthesize some new evidence on the employment problems of young blacks, especially relating to the issues of skill and spatial mismatch, racial discrimination, crime, and immigration. I also discuss various interpretations of these phenomena and highlight the fact that both shifts in demand (that is, employers and jobs) and the characteristics and responses of supply (that is, workers) in the labor market appear to be responsible for recent trends in employment and earnings among young blacks. This implies that government policy should focus directly on demand-side issues (such as job availability) in the short term, and especially on improving the adjustment of the black labor force to these shifts in demand over time.

Suggested Citation

  • Harry J. Holzer, 1994. "Black employment problems: New evidence, old questions," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 13(4), pages 699-722.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jpamgt:v:13:y:1994:i:4:p:699-722
    DOI: 10.2307/3325494
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Card, 1989. "The Impact of the Mariel Boatlift on the Miami Labor Market," Working Papers 633, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Industrial Relations Section..
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    11. Freeman, Richard B. & Holzer, Harry J. (ed.), 1986. "The Black Youth Employment Crisis," National Bureau of Economic Research Books, University of Chicago Press, number 9780226261645, March.
    12. George J. Borjas, 1992. "National Origin and the Skills of Immigrants in the Postwar Period," NBER Chapters, in: Immigration and the Work Force: Economic Consequences for the United States and Source Areas, pages 17-48, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    13. Gary Burtless, 1985. "Are Targeted Wage Subsidies Harmful? Evidence from a Wage Voucher Experiment," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 39(1), pages 105-114, October.
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    15. Harry J. Holzer, 1986. "Black Youth Nonemployment: Duration and Job Search," NBER Chapters, in: The Black Youth Employment Crisis, pages 23-73, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    16. Abraham, Katharine G, 1986. "Structural/Frictional vs. Deficient Demand Unemployment: Reply," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 76(1), pages 273-276, March.
    17. Joseph G. Altonji & David Card, 1989. "The Effects of Immigration on the Labor Market Outcomes of Natives," NBER Working Papers 3123, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    Cited by:

    1. Glenn C. Loury, 1998. "Discrimination in the Post-Civil Rights Era: Beyond Market Interactions," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 12(2), pages 117-126, Spring.
    2. H. J. Holzer & R. J. LaLonde, "undated". "Job Change and Job Stability among Less-Skilled Young Workers," Institute for Research on Poverty Discussion Papers 1191-99, University of Wisconsin Institute for Research on Poverty.
    3. H. J. Holzer, "undated". "Employer Demand, AFDC Recipients, and Labor Market Policy," Institute for Research on Poverty Discussion Papers 1115-96, University of Wisconsin Institute for Research on Poverty.
    4. Edward W. Hill & Harold L. Wolman, 1997. "Accounting for the Change in Income Disparities between US Central Cities and their Suburbs from 1980 to 1990," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 34(1), pages 43-60, January.
    5. James Johnson & Elisa Bienenstock & Jennifer Stoloff, 1995. "An empirical test of the cultural capital hypothesis," The Review of Black Political Economy, Springer;National Economic Association, vol. 23(4), pages 7-27, June.
    6. Katharine L. Bradbury, 2000. "Rising tide in the labor market: to what degree do expansions benefit the disadvantaged?," New England Economic Review, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, issue May, pages 3-33.
    7. H Bauder & E Perle, 1999. "Spatial and Skills Mismatch for Labor-Market Segments," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 31(6), pages 959-977, June.
    8. Harry J. Holzer & Paul Offner, 2001. "Trends in Employment Outcomes of Young Black Men, 1979-2000," JCPR Working Papers 245, Northwestern University/University of Chicago Joint Center for Poverty Research.
    9. Robert W. Fairlie & William A. Sundstrom, 1999. "The Emergence, Persistence, and Recent Widening of the Racial Unemployment Gap," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 52(2), pages 252-270, January.
    10. L. Quillian, "undated". "Migration Patterns and the Growth of High-Poverty Neighborhoods, 1970–1990," Institute for Research on Poverty Discussion Papers 1172-98, University of Wisconsin Institute for Research on Poverty.
    11. H. J. Holzer & S. Danziger, "undated". "Are Jobs Available for Disadvantaged Workers in Urban Areas?," Institute for Research on Poverty Discussion Papers 1157-98, University of Wisconsin Institute for Research on Poverty.
    12. Yolanda Kodrzycki, 2000. "Discouraged and other marginally attached workers: evidence on their role in the labor market," New England Economic Review, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, issue May, pages 35-40.
    13. Elizabeth J. Mueller & Alex Schwartz, 1998. "Leaving Poverty through Work: A Review of Current Development Strategies," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 12(2), pages 166-180, May.
    14. Bernard E. Anderson, 2000. "Worker Protection Policies in the New Century," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 14(1), pages 207-214, Winter.

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